"The Holy Spirit must be really chaotic and scary," I decided as a young believer. In my quest to find out who the Holy Spirit was, my youth group leader directed me toward a charismatic church in town. "They will show you," he suggested ominously. That night I found myself in a church, radically different from any I had ever known. People were running, jumping, screaming and chanting in tongues up and down the aisles. A lady standing close by caught my wide-eyed, bewildered look. "This is the Holy Spirit's doing," she explained briefly. Her words was no comfort to me. If I had not been completely surrounded by this mayhem, I would have fled this scene as quickly as possible. Much later I understood that the Holy Spirit does endow Christians with gifts such as teaching, prophesy and tongues, but they are for the building up of the church. What I had experienced was the same chaos which the apostle Paul addressed in the early church when he asked, "If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?" (1 Cor. 14:23)
Slightly intimidated, I continued my quest for knowing the Holy Spirit. A year later I spent Easter at Camp Obadiah in Australia. After an evening worship meeting I asked the main speaker for prayer, telling him that I desired more of God in my life. "What you want is the Holy Spirit," he clarified. "I will pray for you and then you will fall over immediately. Afterwards you will start speaking in tongues." This seemed like a proven method, when I watched this speaker pray for others. Now he started praying for me - nothing visible happened. Other leaders joined in - still nothing seemed to happen. "Stop resisting the Spirit," they urged. After half and hour, which seemed like an eternity, almost the entire camp had joined in praying. Finally they gave up, deciding I was too resistant to the work of the Holy Spirit. Really?! - If I could have conjured up in myself anything to force the Holy Spirit into action, I would have done so.
From that day on God has regularly given me prophetic visions. This has taught me that the Holy Spirit cannot be put into a box. He has no prescribed method and does what He wants. (John 3:3)
The Holy Spirit is nothing like I thought in those confusing beginnings. Yes, He is unpredictable like the wind, but He is not scary, because He does not act contrary to his own character. This becomes visible in the fruit He brings forth: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22)
It has been so worth overcoming my prejudice and fear for the sake of knowing Him.
"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13)
Monday, August 22, 2016
Sunday, August 7, 2016
You are mine!
My thirteen-year-old son, Daniel, is Southern to the core. He is an accomplished hunter, an award-winning fisherman, and he knows how to hull sunflower seeds in his mouth - something I will probably never master! Recently he decided to give his mom an introduction to some of his favorite country songs. Contrary to my expectations I actually really enjoyed them. One song in particular strongly resonated with me. "He is Mine!" is what country singer Rodney Atkins declares about his teenage son, who comes running to him for safety. Despite the fact that his boy is on trouble with the neighbors for smoking and shooting beer bottles while trespassing on their property, the father embraces and claims him wholeheartedly. "He is mine," he proudly tells them and no action on his son's part could ever change this.
Through his song, this father gives us a perfect example of unconditional love, without condoning a single part of his boy's actions. Atkins clearly reflects the father-heart of God. God is speaking to his children in the same way when He says, "You are mine." (Is. 43:1b) Even when we get into trouble, He still claims us as His own. My propensity is to hide from God in shame when I have sinned against Him. Like Adam and Eve I doubt that He would still want to be with me. Instead, God longs to embrace us as we come running to Him, just as Rodney Atkins displayed in his song.
Nothing that we do can cause God to stop loving us. God claims us completely, not only when we are doing well. Sometimes it takes a Southern boy and his favorite country song for us to really grasp this truth!
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." (Isaiah 43:1b)
Through his song, this father gives us a perfect example of unconditional love, without condoning a single part of his boy's actions. Atkins clearly reflects the father-heart of God. God is speaking to his children in the same way when He says, "You are mine." (Is. 43:1b) Even when we get into trouble, He still claims us as His own. My propensity is to hide from God in shame when I have sinned against Him. Like Adam and Eve I doubt that He would still want to be with me. Instead, God longs to embrace us as we come running to Him, just as Rodney Atkins displayed in his song.
Nothing that we do can cause God to stop loving us. God claims us completely, not only when we are doing well. Sometimes it takes a Southern boy and his favorite country song for us to really grasp this truth!
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." (Isaiah 43:1b)
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Planned by God
I was unplanned. My accidental conception has become somewhat of a family joke; after all, how many times have you heard of a husband unintentionally bricking up his wife's birth-control pills into the bathroom wall? Without immediate access to a new supply of pills, my mother became pregnant soon after.
I was unwanted. The day I checked myself into an orphanage I felt completely unwanted. I had no person to turn to and could only appeal to the mercy of the social services system, which was obligated to furnish a minor with accommodation and nourishment.
At that point, I have no idea what possessed me to go to a pro-choice meeting. Curiosity perhaps. At any rate, I was late entering the conference room and all eyes turned on me when the door slammed shut behind me. Grasping the opportunity, I decided to address the main spokesperson by posing the question that troubled me: "What makes you so adamant that abortion is a good thing?" I asked rather bluntly. "Just consider the child," he challenged earnestly. "Imagine a child who was conceived by mistake, is unwanted and ends up living in an orphanage. Wouldn't we be doing the child a favor by not exposing it to such a miserable existence?"
"I am that child," I blurted out. "I was unplanned and unwanted and am living in an orphanage, but I am thankful to be alive. God planned my life, he made me and he desires me. That is all I want and need."
This group of abortionists was so dumbfounded by my reply, their meeting had to be postponed until further notice. One by one they silently left the conference room. What a glorious God we serve who "chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise... God chose what is low and despised in the world, even the things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are." (1 Cor. 1:27-28)
Your own life, or the life you carry inside you, might have been neither planned nor desired by human standards, but you have a God who chose you before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4), who knit you together in your mother's womb (Ps. 139:13) and who calls you His treasured possession (Dt. 7:6). He loves you so much that he is preparing a place to spend all eternity with you (Jn. 14:2).
Praise be to God who gives value and meaning to each living soul!
I was unwanted. The day I checked myself into an orphanage I felt completely unwanted. I had no person to turn to and could only appeal to the mercy of the social services system, which was obligated to furnish a minor with accommodation and nourishment.
At that point, I have no idea what possessed me to go to a pro-choice meeting. Curiosity perhaps. At any rate, I was late entering the conference room and all eyes turned on me when the door slammed shut behind me. Grasping the opportunity, I decided to address the main spokesperson by posing the question that troubled me: "What makes you so adamant that abortion is a good thing?" I asked rather bluntly. "Just consider the child," he challenged earnestly. "Imagine a child who was conceived by mistake, is unwanted and ends up living in an orphanage. Wouldn't we be doing the child a favor by not exposing it to such a miserable existence?"
"I am that child," I blurted out. "I was unplanned and unwanted and am living in an orphanage, but I am thankful to be alive. God planned my life, he made me and he desires me. That is all I want and need."
This group of abortionists was so dumbfounded by my reply, their meeting had to be postponed until further notice. One by one they silently left the conference room. What a glorious God we serve who "chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise... God chose what is low and despised in the world, even the things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are." (1 Cor. 1:27-28)
Your own life, or the life you carry inside you, might have been neither planned nor desired by human standards, but you have a God who chose you before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4), who knit you together in your mother's womb (Ps. 139:13) and who calls you His treasured possession (Dt. 7:6). He loves you so much that he is preparing a place to spend all eternity with you (Jn. 14:2).
Praise be to God who gives value and meaning to each living soul!
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Discernment Training
Discernment is highly valued all over the world. From early childhood we are trained to discern by observation what is acceptable in our society. Moving from Europe to the U.S. I experienced a whole new paradigm of cultural expectations. I did not realize that the average American has a much greater wardrobe than people from other counties. It took me a while to discern why people started offering me hand-me-downs after I had worn my "church-dress" on four consecutive Sundays. My lack of cultural awareness made these kind Christians assume that I was too poor to purchase sufficient clothing to wear a different attire each week.
Discerning cultural cues is important for functioning as part of a society, but in this day-in-age our discernment must go beyond the superficial. This time of rapidly shifting values calls for an increased measure of spiritual discernment. This discernment is marked by the maturity of the Christian to know and act upon God's will so that the believer is not tossed to and fro by the waves of human cunning and deceitful schemes (Eph. 4:12)
Almost daily I find myself in the position of seeking to discern God's will: Interpersonally, I wonder how to advise a friend whose marriage is marked by her husband's hostility towards her faith. Politically, I ask myself how to respond to the current gender issues. In child-training I think about the implications of exposing my kids to stories about friendly dragons, if the Bible is explicit about identifying Satan himself as the dragon.
We need to be able to discern between good and evil in order to know what pleases God and also to expose unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:10), to approve what is excellent (Phil 1:9), and to live according to God's will (Rom. 12:2). But how can we attain discernment?
1. Ask God
It pleased God to endow Solomon with discernment when he asked selflessly (1. Kings 3:9). In the same way we can ask God who transforms us by the renewal of our minds (Rom 12:2). The Holy Spirit will also teach us if we are willing and will guide us to understand that which we already possess, namely Christ in us.
2. Know God
Increasingly grasping this mystery of Christ in us, the hope of glory, is what leads us to maturity according to Col. 1:28. Since Christ lives in us, our hope is set on the glory that awaits us. We will know Him fully (1. Cor. 13:12) and be like Him (1. Cor. 15:51). This transformation begins here and now as we increase our desire to know Him and to follow Him. Christ in us also strengthens us to accomplish this (Phil. 4:13). In Eph. 4:12 Paul emphasizes that our knowledge of Christ is in direct correlation to our maturity of faith. Here maturity is explained as knowing Christ so well that we start looking like Him. Therefore discerning His will results from walking in His footsteps.
3. Know God's Word
The more skilled we are in the word of righteousness, the more easily we will be able to distinguish good from evil (Hebr. 5:14). The word of God discerns the thoughts and actions of the heart (Hebr. 4:12). Knowing, understanding and putting God's word into practice will enable us to discern whether our thoughts and desires match up with God's.
This can seem like an overwhelming task! We need to keep in mind that discernment is not attained overnight but is something we are trained to possess by constant practice in distinguishing good from evil (Hebr. 5:14).
It is my prayer "that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God"(Col. 4:12) and "that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ... to the praise of God." (Phil. 1:9)
Discerning cultural cues is important for functioning as part of a society, but in this day-in-age our discernment must go beyond the superficial. This time of rapidly shifting values calls for an increased measure of spiritual discernment. This discernment is marked by the maturity of the Christian to know and act upon God's will so that the believer is not tossed to and fro by the waves of human cunning and deceitful schemes (Eph. 4:12)
Almost daily I find myself in the position of seeking to discern God's will: Interpersonally, I wonder how to advise a friend whose marriage is marked by her husband's hostility towards her faith. Politically, I ask myself how to respond to the current gender issues. In child-training I think about the implications of exposing my kids to stories about friendly dragons, if the Bible is explicit about identifying Satan himself as the dragon.
We need to be able to discern between good and evil in order to know what pleases God and also to expose unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:10), to approve what is excellent (Phil 1:9), and to live according to God's will (Rom. 12:2). But how can we attain discernment?
1. Ask God
It pleased God to endow Solomon with discernment when he asked selflessly (1. Kings 3:9). In the same way we can ask God who transforms us by the renewal of our minds (Rom 12:2). The Holy Spirit will also teach us if we are willing and will guide us to understand that which we already possess, namely Christ in us.
2. Know God
Increasingly grasping this mystery of Christ in us, the hope of glory, is what leads us to maturity according to Col. 1:28. Since Christ lives in us, our hope is set on the glory that awaits us. We will know Him fully (1. Cor. 13:12) and be like Him (1. Cor. 15:51). This transformation begins here and now as we increase our desire to know Him and to follow Him. Christ in us also strengthens us to accomplish this (Phil. 4:13). In Eph. 4:12 Paul emphasizes that our knowledge of Christ is in direct correlation to our maturity of faith. Here maturity is explained as knowing Christ so well that we start looking like Him. Therefore discerning His will results from walking in His footsteps.
3. Know God's Word
The more skilled we are in the word of righteousness, the more easily we will be able to distinguish good from evil (Hebr. 5:14). The word of God discerns the thoughts and actions of the heart (Hebr. 4:12). Knowing, understanding and putting God's word into practice will enable us to discern whether our thoughts and desires match up with God's.
This can seem like an overwhelming task! We need to keep in mind that discernment is not attained overnight but is something we are trained to possess by constant practice in distinguishing good from evil (Hebr. 5:14).
It is my prayer "that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God"(Col. 4:12) and "that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ... to the praise of God." (Phil. 1:9)
Friday, June 24, 2016
Tattletale Siblings
Do you know the seven things God hates? They are listed in Proverbs 6:16-19. According to Proverbs 6, the things God hates are pride, lying, murder, evil thoughts, evil deeds, giving false witness, and sowing discord among brothers.
The last point, sowing discord, really surprised my kids, taking them completely off guard. Did God really detest a person who sows discord among his brothers as much as a murderer? This one hit close to home, because lately the kids have gotten into the habit of "telling" on each other, saying things like, "Look, Paul, Toria is reading your book. She will probably lose the place you marked," or, "Hanna, do you know that Mercy is touching your play-dough?"
Even in families with just two children, one child can sow discord with his sibling by tattling. In going to a parent rather than addressing his brother or sister directly, he is causing a rift in the relationship.
The motivation of the tattler is neither to help the one sibling to do the right thing, nor is it to protect the property of the other, but rather to sow discord, to see the anger flare up in the other's eye. His heart attitude is mercilessness and a desire to look good at someone else's expense.
Reading that God hates a tattler was an eye-opener to my kids. Over the next few days, it was beautiful to watch a real change come over them. Whenever they did fall back into the old habit of tattling, they would often stop themselves in order to please God.
This verse was not just a wake-up-call for my children; it also challenged me to diligently train them. As parents, we play a huge role in what kind of atmosphere pervades the home, by allowing certain behaviors in our children. I had been letting my kids get away with tattling, which created an atmosphere of animosity. Instead, I now encourage them to lovingly correct their sibling rather than tattling on them. I also ask the tattler questions such as, "Was it kind, helpful, or necessary to point this out to others?"
It makes me smile to overhear my son, Daniel, say, "David, Mama says we shouldn't eat anything so close to supper. Let's put the food away before she notices." Daniel's actions have won him a friend, rather than causing a rift in their relationship by tattling. These brothers have grown closer together. I am sure that makes God smile, too.
The last point, sowing discord, really surprised my kids, taking them completely off guard. Did God really detest a person who sows discord among his brothers as much as a murderer? This one hit close to home, because lately the kids have gotten into the habit of "telling" on each other, saying things like, "Look, Paul, Toria is reading your book. She will probably lose the place you marked," or, "Hanna, do you know that Mercy is touching your play-dough?"
Even in families with just two children, one child can sow discord with his sibling by tattling. In going to a parent rather than addressing his brother or sister directly, he is causing a rift in the relationship.
The motivation of the tattler is neither to help the one sibling to do the right thing, nor is it to protect the property of the other, but rather to sow discord, to see the anger flare up in the other's eye. His heart attitude is mercilessness and a desire to look good at someone else's expense.
Reading that God hates a tattler was an eye-opener to my kids. Over the next few days, it was beautiful to watch a real change come over them. Whenever they did fall back into the old habit of tattling, they would often stop themselves in order to please God.
This verse was not just a wake-up-call for my children; it also challenged me to diligently train them. As parents, we play a huge role in what kind of atmosphere pervades the home, by allowing certain behaviors in our children. I had been letting my kids get away with tattling, which created an atmosphere of animosity. Instead, I now encourage them to lovingly correct their sibling rather than tattling on them. I also ask the tattler questions such as, "Was it kind, helpful, or necessary to point this out to others?"
It makes me smile to overhear my son, Daniel, say, "David, Mama says we shouldn't eat anything so close to supper. Let's put the food away before she notices." Daniel's actions have won him a friend, rather than causing a rift in their relationship by tattling. These brothers have grown closer together. I am sure that makes God smile, too.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
All Things
I have a confession to make: I am absolutely horrible at remembering people's faces. This has gotten me into trouble more than once. A few years ago I spent a week with my friend Susie in North Carolina. On Sunday we attended church together. That same evening a surprise visitor stopped by to see Susie's family. I readily extended my hand to greet him. "You look familiar," I noted, "have we met before?"
"I can tell my sermon from this morning did not leave a great impression on you!" her pastor replied. Talk about embarrassing!
Another time I enthusiastically approached an unfamiliar-looking lady at my home church. Desiring to make her feel welcome, I asked whether this was her first visit. "You have already greeted me two other times in this way," she retorted huskily. I am relieved that she continued to come to our church in spite of my poor recognition skills.
Well, yesterday it happened again. During an end-of-year school program I paid close attention to all the teachers' mannerisms and words in order to ascertain who I would prefer to have as a teacher for my daughter, Toria, during the next school year. One teacher stood out as an extremely sweet lady, whom her pupils hugged often and who mentioned teaching Vacation Bible School. Unfortunately, her name was never mentioned, and, going by my visual memory of her face, I ended up requesting a similar-looking teacher, whom I knew nothing about.
That night I lay awake in bed, upset about this mishap. "What if my daughter gets a terrible teacher and it is all my fault?" I worried. As I was pleading for God to redeem this situation, He spoke to me comfortingly, "Child, this is what I had planned all along. Toria is exactly where I want her to be. Remember, I am sovereign."
There is peace in knowing that in all things, especially in our weaknesses and limitations, God works for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). His counsel shall stand, and He will accomplish all His purpose (Isaiah 46:10). It cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2). For He will complete what he appoints for us (Job 23:14).
Our personal limitations serve as a constant reminder that we are completely dependent upon God. Even as we strive to serve Him to the best of out abilities, we can rest in the fact that His grace is sufficient for us; for God's power is made perfect in weakness (2. Cor 12:9).
"I can tell my sermon from this morning did not leave a great impression on you!" her pastor replied. Talk about embarrassing!
Another time I enthusiastically approached an unfamiliar-looking lady at my home church. Desiring to make her feel welcome, I asked whether this was her first visit. "You have already greeted me two other times in this way," she retorted huskily. I am relieved that she continued to come to our church in spite of my poor recognition skills.
Well, yesterday it happened again. During an end-of-year school program I paid close attention to all the teachers' mannerisms and words in order to ascertain who I would prefer to have as a teacher for my daughter, Toria, during the next school year. One teacher stood out as an extremely sweet lady, whom her pupils hugged often and who mentioned teaching Vacation Bible School. Unfortunately, her name was never mentioned, and, going by my visual memory of her face, I ended up requesting a similar-looking teacher, whom I knew nothing about.
That night I lay awake in bed, upset about this mishap. "What if my daughter gets a terrible teacher and it is all my fault?" I worried. As I was pleading for God to redeem this situation, He spoke to me comfortingly, "Child, this is what I had planned all along. Toria is exactly where I want her to be. Remember, I am sovereign."
There is peace in knowing that in all things, especially in our weaknesses and limitations, God works for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). His counsel shall stand, and He will accomplish all His purpose (Isaiah 46:10). It cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2). For He will complete what he appoints for us (Job 23:14).
Our personal limitations serve as a constant reminder that we are completely dependent upon God. Even as we strive to serve Him to the best of out abilities, we can rest in the fact that His grace is sufficient for us; for God's power is made perfect in weakness (2. Cor 12:9).
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Learning Repentance
None of us like being rebuked, but how we react to rebuke says a lot about what we believe about God and ourselves. Last year my pastor had to confront me for not handling a disagreement in a biblical manner. The rebuke was well deserved and his goal was restoration, not condemnation. Recognizing this and seeing his love for the church made it easier for me to repent and seek reconciliation.
The Bible tells us about two kings who were rightfully rebuked. Comparing their stories helps us to avoid pitfalls and to respond wisely when we need to repent.
The first king I would like to examine is Saul, who unlawfully offered a burnt offering because the people were scattering from him (1 Sam. 13:10). Pleasing his people was more important to him than obeying God's word. The prophet Samuel rebuked Saul by saying, "You have done foolishly ... Your kingdom shall not continue." (1 Sam. 13:13-14) Saul reacted pridefully. Rather than seeking God's glory, he set up a monument for himself (1 Sam. 15:12) and continued in sinful disobedience, so that Samuel had to confront him a second time: "Why did you not obey the voice of the Lord?" (1 Sam. 15:19). Still, Saul remained obstinate, not wanting to own up to his wrongdoing. "I have obeyed", he lied. To Saul, saving face was more important than being repentant: "I feared the people and obeyed their voice (15:24). "I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders," he demanded. (1 Sam. 15:30)
Saul had always been a hider. When the people wanted to make him king, he had "hidden himself among the baggage." (1 Sam 10:22) Now, just like Adam and Eve had done, he hid himself "from the presence of the Lord God" (Gen. 3:8) when he was called to be accountable for his actions.
Saul remained in a posture of pride, people pleasing and hiding from God for the rest of his life. Therefore "the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him." (1 Sam. 16:14)
Now let's look at King David, a man who knew God intimately and practiced seeking God's glory above his own. In contrast to Saul, who erected a monument to himself, David desired to build a temple for the Lord. When he came under discipline, David responded in a God-fearing, humble manner. "The Lord sent Nathan to David, He came to him and said to him ... 'Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife'" (2 Sam. 12:1, 9). David immediately repented and confessed: "I have sinned against the Lord" (2. Sam. 12:13). His relationship with God was restored: "I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord', and you forgave the iniquity of my sin" (Ps. 32:5). Instead of inheriting Saul's harmful spirit, David asked God to "renew a right spirit within" him (Ps. 51:10). He learned that "the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit" (Ps. 51:17), not the self-serving sacrifices of Saul.
The three postures and underlying lies that kept Saul from reacting with humility, as his successor David did, are the same that many times hinder us from running to God. We can learn to identify the lies that keep us captive and replace them with the truth.
1. Fear of man vs. Fear of God
Lie: It is my job to make everyone happy.
Truth: If I am still trying to please man, I cannot please God.
Lie: My value depends on what others think of me.
Truth: God gives my life value.
2. Pride vs. Humility
Lie: God is not concerned with my best interest.
Truth: I can completely trust that God's way is the best for me.
Lie: My goal in life is to achieve fame and riches.
Truth: My goal is to glorify God with my life.
Lie: God does not have a special plan for my life.
Truth: God has a special plan for my life.
3. Hiding vs. Living in God's light
Lie: God does not really love me.
Truth: God loves me and nothing I do will change that.
Lie: God likes to make me feel bad about my sins because He does not want me
to be happy.
Truth: God wants me to feel bad about my sins so that I will repent and have a restored relationship with Him.
Lie: God cannot redeem all the bad things in my life.
Truth: God can and will redeem everything for my good and His glory.
Because David believed that God is who He says He is, Satan's lies did not stand a chance with him. And like this "man after God's own heart," when we replace Satan's lies with God's truth, we will run to Him who can "create in us a clean heart" and "restore unto us the joy of His salvation" (Ps. 51:12).
The Bible tells us about two kings who were rightfully rebuked. Comparing their stories helps us to avoid pitfalls and to respond wisely when we need to repent.
The first king I would like to examine is Saul, who unlawfully offered a burnt offering because the people were scattering from him (1 Sam. 13:10). Pleasing his people was more important to him than obeying God's word. The prophet Samuel rebuked Saul by saying, "You have done foolishly ... Your kingdom shall not continue." (1 Sam. 13:13-14) Saul reacted pridefully. Rather than seeking God's glory, he set up a monument for himself (1 Sam. 15:12) and continued in sinful disobedience, so that Samuel had to confront him a second time: "Why did you not obey the voice of the Lord?" (1 Sam. 15:19). Still, Saul remained obstinate, not wanting to own up to his wrongdoing. "I have obeyed", he lied. To Saul, saving face was more important than being repentant: "I feared the people and obeyed their voice (15:24). "I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders," he demanded. (1 Sam. 15:30)
Saul had always been a hider. When the people wanted to make him king, he had "hidden himself among the baggage." (1 Sam 10:22) Now, just like Adam and Eve had done, he hid himself "from the presence of the Lord God" (Gen. 3:8) when he was called to be accountable for his actions.
Saul remained in a posture of pride, people pleasing and hiding from God for the rest of his life. Therefore "the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him." (1 Sam. 16:14)
Now let's look at King David, a man who knew God intimately and practiced seeking God's glory above his own. In contrast to Saul, who erected a monument to himself, David desired to build a temple for the Lord. When he came under discipline, David responded in a God-fearing, humble manner. "The Lord sent Nathan to David, He came to him and said to him ... 'Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife'" (2 Sam. 12:1, 9). David immediately repented and confessed: "I have sinned against the Lord" (2. Sam. 12:13). His relationship with God was restored: "I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord', and you forgave the iniquity of my sin" (Ps. 32:5). Instead of inheriting Saul's harmful spirit, David asked God to "renew a right spirit within" him (Ps. 51:10). He learned that "the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit" (Ps. 51:17), not the self-serving sacrifices of Saul.
The three postures and underlying lies that kept Saul from reacting with humility, as his successor David did, are the same that many times hinder us from running to God. We can learn to identify the lies that keep us captive and replace them with the truth.
1. Fear of man vs. Fear of God
Lie: It is my job to make everyone happy.
Truth: If I am still trying to please man, I cannot please God.
Lie: My value depends on what others think of me.
Truth: God gives my life value.
2. Pride vs. Humility
Lie: God is not concerned with my best interest.
Truth: I can completely trust that God's way is the best for me.
Lie: My goal in life is to achieve fame and riches.
Truth: My goal is to glorify God with my life.
Lie: God does not have a special plan for my life.
Truth: God has a special plan for my life.
3. Hiding vs. Living in God's light
Lie: God does not really love me.
Truth: God loves me and nothing I do will change that.
Lie: God likes to make me feel bad about my sins because He does not want me
to be happy.
Truth: God wants me to feel bad about my sins so that I will repent and have a restored relationship with Him.
Lie: God cannot redeem all the bad things in my life.
Truth: God can and will redeem everything for my good and His glory.
Because David believed that God is who He says He is, Satan's lies did not stand a chance with him. And like this "man after God's own heart," when we replace Satan's lies with God's truth, we will run to Him who can "create in us a clean heart" and "restore unto us the joy of His salvation" (Ps. 51:12).
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